Control for sliding wheels



April 21, 1936. E.-s.co0K HAL 2,038,145

CONTROL FOR 'SLIDI'NG WHEELS Filed June 8, 1934 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EARLE. S COOK. CHARLES F. HAMMER.

A TTORN Y April 21, 193s. E O ETAL 2,038,145

CONTROL FOR SLIDING WHEELS Filed June 8, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm mm Y mm R K mw m M mc A 8 3 5 m M 0 E 7 .l 1 EL M 2 J R w 1 MA i H 2 C s A Y a I l B n 8 I I 9 .3 %5 8 5 $8 5 5 m \(s 1 III 8 MM m W 2 Oh 2 I T ole II 8 7 6 6 9 m o 7 b 3 4 m B M w w A r'i121, 1936. COOK HAL 2,038,145

CONTROL FOR SLIDING WHEELS Filed JuneB, 1954 3 Shets-Sheet 3 I" iv 80 Fig-6 I 1 E ui S.CO0K. RLES E HAMMER.

ATTOR EY INVENTORS I Y Patented Apr. 21, 1936 CONTROL FOR SLIDING WHEELS Earle S. Cook, Wilkinsburg, and Charles F. Ham

mer, Greensburg, Pa., assignors to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 8, 1934, Serial No. 729,604

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a control for slidin wheels, and more particularly to means for detecting and relieving a sliding wheel condition when the brakes are applied on a railway train or traction vehicle. 1

When railway trains and traction vehicles are operated at very high speeds, high braking forces must be employed to bring the train or vehicle to a stop in a reasonable length of time. When such high braking forces are employed there is considerable danger of wheel sliding occurring. It is therefore desirable to provide, as a part of the braking equipment on high speed trains and vehicles, some means for detecting and relieving wheel sliding when it occurs.

It will be obvious of course that all of the wheels throughout a train or on a vehicle may not slide simultaneously, but most generally only a few wheels slide. Such means as is provided to detect and relieve wheel sliding should therefore be adapted to detect and relieve the sliding of individual wheels, or pairs of wheels. In addition, after sliding wheels commence to rotate again the brakes on those'wheels should be reapplied, so as not to lose the effective retarding force produced by these brakes.

In carrying out our invention it is a principal object to provide means for detecting wheel sliding in the incipient stage and for then immediately functioning to relieve the wheel sliding condition, whether it occurs during a service or an emergency application of the brakes.

Another object of ourinvention is to provide a wheel sliding control means which is simple in' operation and economical to manufacture, so that it may be applied to each axle, or pair of wheels, on a vehicle.

A further object of our invention is to provide a wheel sliding control apparatus which will function in cooperative relationship with other brake control apparatus normally employed in connection with high speed trains and vehicles, and which in case of failure will not hinder an application of the brakes by the regular control apparatus.

A yet further object of our invention is to provide a wheel sliding control means which is operable for either direction of travel of a vehicle or train.

A still further object is to provide means which will positively release the brakes on a sliding wheel and maintain the brakes released until the wheel is again rolling at a speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle or train.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means for reapplying the brakes on a wheel after-it has reached a speed corresponding to the speed of the train or vehicle, and to maintain the brakes applied up to the point which will not quite produce sliding of the wheel.

Yet further objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent from the several embodiments thereof described in this specification and illustrated in the attached drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a schematic arrangement of apparatus comprising one embodiment as applied to a single vehicle wheel.

Figs. 2 and B aredetailed views, respectively, along lines 2-4 and. 3--3 of Fig. 1. 15

Fig. 4 is a modification of the valve mechanism shown in Fig. i. v

Fig. 5 is another embodiment of our invention along lines similar tothat shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6'is still another embodiment which operates in connection with a pair of vehicle wheels.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view along the line 'l'l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a modification which may be employed as a part of either of the embodiments shown.

While all of the embodiments have been illustrated in connection with a single vehicle wheel. or a single pair of wheels, it is to be understood that either embodiment may be employed in connection with the control of the brakes on as many wheels as is desired.

Considering now the embodiment shown in Fig. l, we have provided a brake controlling mechanism' ill which operates upon differential movement between a tracer wheel l2, rotated by engagement with a vehicle wheel M, and a tracer wheel I6, rotated by engagement with a track rail is, to control the supply of fluid under pressure to a brake cylinder 20.

The brake controlling mechanism it is provided with a difi'erential gear section 22, a centrifuge section 24, and a valve device section 26. The differential gear section may comprise a differential gear mechanism of the type commonly employed in automobiles, and as shown, may include a ring gear 28 carried by a differential housing 30, in which are suitably mounted differential gears 32, 33, 34, and 35. These gears are grouped in the manner commonly employed in difierential gear mechanisms. The diflerential gear 32 is mechanically coupled to the tracer wheel l6 through a rigid shaft 36, a flexible shaft 38,'and bevel gears 40, one of the bevel gears 40 being secured to a shaft 42 carrying the tracer wheel IS. The differential gear 33 may be mechanically connected to the tracer wheel I2 through a rigid shaft 44, a flexible shaft 48, and bevel gears 48, one of the bevel gears being secured to a shaft 50 carrying the tracer wheel I2.

When both tracer wheels I2 and I are rotating at the same speed the ring gear 28, and connected housing 30, will remain idle, but when either of the tracer wheels is rotating at a greater or lesser speed than the other, the ring gear and housing will be rotated at a speed according to the differential of speed between the two tracer wheels. The ring gear and connected housing overrun the two rigid shafts 36 and 44, as is common practice in differential gear mechanisms.

The tracer wheels I2 and I6 may be urged into contact with the vehicle wheel I4 and track rail I8, respectively, by springs 52 disposed on stems 54 secured to the casings carrying the tracer wheels. spect to supporting members 56 attached to some portion of the vehicle.

The ring gear 28 is adapted to meshwith a pinion 58 secured to a shaft 60 forming part of the centrifuge section 24. The centrifuge section may be provided with a rotatable member 62 secured to shaft 60 and carrying centrifuge weights 64 fulcrumed at 66 and adapted when rotated to swing outwardly to raise a plunger member 68 against opposition of a spring I0.

Actuation of the plunger member 68 upwardly engages a valve stem 12 of a double beat valve I4, to actuate the double beat valve from a lower seated position to an upper seated position, against opposition of a spring I6 normally urging the double beat valve I4 to lower seated position. The double beat valve I4 controls the flow of fluid from a source of supply of fluid under pressure, as for example a reservoir I8, to the brake cylinder 20, a brake valve device 80 being provided for manual control of the flow, as when initiating and releasing a brake application.

The brake valve device 80 may be of any of the types commonly employed for manual control of brake applications, such for example as a rotary type having the usual release, application and lap positions. For the purpose of this disclosure this brake valve device may be assumed to be of this type.

In operation, when it is desired to effect an application of the brakes, the handle of the brake valve device 80 is moved to application position to supply fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder 20 in accordance with a desired degree of braking. When the brakes are initially applied the two tracer wheels I2 and I6 will be rotating at the same speed, and consequently the ring gear 28 will remain motionless. If after the brakes are applied the vehicle wheel I4 should commence to slide, the tracer wheel I2 will rotate at a speed lower than that of the tracer wheel I6. The ring gear 28 will then be rotated according to the differential of speed between the two tracer wheels and thus drive the rotating member 62 of the centrifuge section 24.

Now the centrifuge section is arranged so that for slight differentials in speed between the two tracer wheels the plunger 68 will not engage the double beat valve stem I2, to actuate the double beat valve from its lower seated position, but if The stems 54 may be slidable with re-,

der will be cut off and the brake cylinder will be vented to the atmosphere past the open lower seat and through port 82.

Release of fluid pressure from the brake cylinder 20 will release the brakes on the wheel I4, so that in a short time the wheel will commence to rotate again. As soon as the rotation of the vehicle wheel has approached substantially to that corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, the centrifuge device will be idle or rotating at such a low speed that the double beat valve 14 will be actuated to its lower seated position. Fluid under pressure may then again flow to the brake cylinder to reapply the brakes on the vehicle wheel. It will thus be seen that the brake controlling mechanism I0 is actuated according to the differential of speed between a sliding wheel and that corresponding to the motion of the vehicle, to control the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder actuating the brakes on the sliding wheel, and that so long as the wheel is rotating at a speed corresponding substantially to the speed of the vehicle the brakes will remain applied. vIt will be noted that this operation will be the same for either direction of travel of the vehicle, as it depends solely upon the failure of a wheel to rotate at a speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle.

In case it is not desired to wholly cut off the supply of fluid to the brake cylinder, a valve arrangement may be employed such as shown in Fig. 4. As there shown a pressure seated release valve 84 controls the release of fluid pressure from the brake cylinder 20 to the atmosphere, by way of port 86. The valve 84 is normally held in seated position so long as fluid pressure is present in the brake cylinder. When the centrifuge device operates its stem 68 upwardly, the valve 84 is unseated to release fluid pressure from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere faster than it can be supplied to the brake cylinder from reservoir I8 through choke 85, which acts to prevent too great loss of fluid from the reservoir I8.

While this arrangement may result in the loss of some fluid from the reservoir I8, it has the advantage of preventing total release of the brakes. Of course if the brake valve device 80 is in lap position after effecting an application of the brakes, the loss of fluid from the reservoir 18 is prevented.

Considering now the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a brake controlling mechanism 88 is shown similar to the brake controlling mechanism I0 of Fig. 1, except that-rigid connections to the tracer wheels are employed, and contacts are arranged to be operated by the centrifuge device to control operation of magnet valve devices.

Like the brake controlling mechanism I0, the brake controlling mechanism 88 of Fig. is provided with a differential gear section 90 and a centrifuge section 92, and has in addition a switch section 94. The differential gear and centrifuge sections may be essentially the same as those shown in Fig. 1, and the same numerals are thereforeemployed to indicate like parts. Differential' gears 32 and 33 are, respectively, secured to rigid shafts 86 and 98. The shaft 88 is mechanically connected to a tracer wheel I00 through bevel gears I02 and shaft I04. In a similar manner, shaft 98 is connected to tracer wheel I06 through bevel gears I08 and shaft IIO. Spring devices H2, or similar mechanisms, may be employed to hold the tracer wheels in contact with the track rail and vehicle wheel, as shown, the

leases fluid pressure from the brake cylinder to the atmosphere by way of port I35 in the magnet housing I03 having a housing I05.

The centrifuge section 32 is adapted to actuate swivel connection with the -a crosshead member H4 carrying switch toggle mechanisms H6 and H8. The toggle mechanism 1 H6 reacts against stops III and is adapted to bridge contacts I20 with a snap action when the crosshead I I4 is actuated upwardly. In a similar manner, the toggle mechanism H8 reacts against stops H9 and is adapted to bridge contacts I 22 when the crosshead member is actuated upwardly. The arrangement of the toggle mechanisms is such that when the crosshead member is actuated upwardly the toggle mechanism I I8 bridges contacts I22 before the toggle mechanism- H6 bridges contacts I20.

Contacts I22 control energization of a cut-off magnet valve device I24, while contacts I20 control energization of a release magnet valve device I26. Magnet valve devices I24 and I26 control the supply of fluid under pressure to and its release from a'brake cylinder I28. Magnet valve device I24 is provided with a cut-oflf valve I30 which is urged toward unseated position by a spring I34, and to seated position by action of an electromagnet in the upper part of the valve device casing, which when energized actuates the valve downwardly to seated position.

The release magnet valve device I26 is provided with a release valve I3I which is urged to seated position by a spring I32, and to unseated position by action of an electromagnet in the upper part of the casing, which when energized actuates the valve to unseated position.

Current to energize the electromagn'ets in themagnet valve devices is supplied through a supply conductor I36, and returns by way of return conductors I31. In parallel with the electromagnets of each magnet valve device is anvindieating device I38, such for example as a. lamp, for the purpose of indicating when each magnet valve device has been energized.

A reservoir I8 and a brake valve device 80, as employed in connection with the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, may be also used in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.

In theoperation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, an application of the brakes may be effected by operation of the brake valve device 80, as described in connection with Fig. 1. Fluid supplied to the brake cylinder I28 flows past the unseated cut-off valve I30 in the magnet valve device I24. When the vehicle wheel I4 is rotating at a speed corresponding to the speed of the vehicle, both tracer wheels I 00 and I06 will be driven at the same speed, so that the ring gear 28 will be idle.

If after the brakes are applied, the vehicle wheel I4 should begin to slide, then ring gear 28 will operate according to the diiferential between the speed of the two tracer wheels, and the centrifuge section will therefore operate the crosshead H4 upwardly. Upward movement of the crosshead H4 actuates the toggle mechanism H8 to bridge contacts I22 to energize the electromagnet in the magnet valve device I24. Energization of this electromagnet seats the cut-off valve I30, to cut oil" flow of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder.

If the crosshead member H4 is moved upwardly a sufficient distance, toggle mechanism I I6 will be actuated to bridge contacts I20, whereupon the electromagnet in the magnet valve device I26 will be energized to cause unseating of the release valve I3 I. Unseating of this valve revalve device. When each magnet valve device is energized the indicating devices I36 so indicate.

I As soon as the brakes have been released sufflciently to permit wheel 'I4 to roll again at a speed corresponding substantially to that of the vehicle, the crosshead member I I4 will be returned to its lowermost position, by action of the centrifuge spring 10. When the crosshead member returns to its lowermost position the two toggle mechanisms operate successively to first deenergize the magnet valve device I26, andthen the device I24. Deenergization of these devices will gagement with a track rail. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 a brake controlling mechanism I42, which is similar to the type shown in Fig. 1. is connected to tracer wheels I44 and I46, each of which is held in engagement with a vehicle wheel I48, by action of springs I reacting against some portion I52 of the vehicle. The brake controlling mechanism I42 is therefore actuated upon a differential in the speed of ro-' tation 'of the two vehicle wheels I48, to control the flow of fluid to the brake cylinder 20, in the manner described in connection with the em bodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Each of the tracer wheels I44 and I46 may be coupled to a rigid shaft connecting with one of differential gears 32 and 33, and as is shown in Fig. 7 the coupling may be made through bevel gears I54. I r

While the brake controlling mechanism I42 has been shown as being similar to that of Fig. l. it-will be understood that the brake controlling mechanism 68 of Fig. 5 may be similarly employed. In fact, it will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art that an interchange of parts and units between the several embodiments shown may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

In Fig. 8 is shown a fluid type switch device I56, which may replace either the valve portion 26 of the brake controlling mechanism III or the switch section 94 of the brake controlling mechanism 38. This fluid switch device comprises a casing I58 defining a cup-shaped chamber containing an electrically conducting fluid I60, such as mercury or the like, which upon rotation of the casing I58 is forced upwardly and outwardly into recesses I62, to interrupt the circuit between contact elements I64 formed by the fluid.

Contact elements I64 are interposed in a cir cuit through which current is supplied to a magnet valve device I66. which controls the supply,

of fluid under pressure to and. its release from the brake cylinder 20. The magnet valve device I66 is provided with a double beat valve I68, which is urged toward an upper seated position by a spring "0, but is normally held in a lower seated position by action of an electromagnet in the magnet valve device, which is normally energized through contact elements I64, when the conductelements.

When the vehicle wheel begins to slide and the casing I58 is rotated above a certain predetermined speed, the fluid I60 is forced outwardly and the circuit through contacts IE4 is interrupted, whereupon the electromagnet in the magnet valve device I66 is deenergized, and spring I10 urges the double beat'valve I68 to upper seated position.

In this position fluid to the brake cylinder is cut off, and fluid pressure in the brake cylinder released to the atmosphere by way of port I12. As soon as the sliding wheel commences to rotate again, the casing I58 will no longer be rotated, and the circuit to the electromagnet in the magnetvalve device will be closed, so that fluid under pressure is again supplied to the brake cylinder.

While we have described our invention in connection with several embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown, or otherwise than by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a'vehicle brake apparatus, the combination with braking means, of valve means for controlling the degree of application of the brakes, means operated according to the speed of the vehicle, means operated according to the speed of a vehicle wheel, and means rendered operable upon a decrease in the speed of said wheel below that corresponding to the speed of said vehicle for effecting operation of said valve means to diminish the degree of application of the brakes and operable upon a return of said wheel to a speed corresponding tothe speed of the vehicle to increase the degree.

2. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, means providing a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect an application of said brake means, valve means controlling said communication, and means operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to efiect operation of said valve means to close said communication.

3. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, means providing a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to effect an application of said brake means, valve means for controlling said communication, and means operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to effect operation of said valve means to open said communication to the atmosphere.

4. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure'brake means, means providing a communication through which fluid under pres sure is supplied to effect an application of said brake means, means for effecting a supply of fluid under pressure through said communication; a

valve device shiftable from a biased position to an operative position to close said communication and to establish a communication between said brake means and the atmosphere, and means operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to effect operation of said valve device to said operative position and operable when subsequently rotated below said predetermined speed to permit said valve device to shift to said biased position.

5. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, means providing. a

ing fluid in the casing I58 connectsthe contact communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to eflect an application of said brake means, valve means for controlling said communication means operable when rotated above a predeterminedspeed to effect operation of said valve means to close said communication, and means for effecting rotation of said 'last means during a slipping or sliding condition of the'vehicle wheels only.

6. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid pressure brake means, means providing a. communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to eifect an application of said brake means, a valve device shiftable to an operating position to close said communication and to efiect a release of fluid under pressure from said fluid pressure brake means, rotative means operable when rotated at or above a predetermined speed to shift said valve device to said operative position, a flrst element rotated according to the speed of the vehicle, a second element rotated according to the speed of a vehicle wheel, and means operated upon a differential in the speed oi rotation of said two elements for rotating said rotative means.

'7. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, means providing a communication through which fluid under pressure is supplied to said brake cylinder, a valve operable to close said communication and to establish a second communication from said brake cylinder to the atmosphere, a member operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to operate said valve, and means for rotating said member during sliding of a vehicle wheel.

8. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, means providing a source of supply oi. fluid under pressure, means for establishing a communication between said source and said brake cylinder, a valve shiftable to an operative position to establish a communication from said brake cylinder to the atmosphere, an element operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to shift said valve to operative position, and means for preventing undue loss of fluid from said source to said atmosphere when said valve is in operative position.

9. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, a brake cylinder, means for efl'ecting a supply 01 fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder, a switch mechanism having two sets of contacts, means operable when rotated above a predetermined speed to effect operation of one of said sets of contacts and when operated at a still higher speed to effect operation of the other of said sets of contacts, a magnet valve device responsive to operation of said first set of contacts for cutting off said supply to said brake cylinder, a second magnet valve device responsive to operation of said second set of contacts for releasing fluid under pressure from said brake cylinder, and means for indicating when each 01 said sets of contacts has been operated.

10. In a vehicle brake system, in combination, fluid presure brake means, means for effecting a supply of fluid under pressure to operate said brake means, switch means having two sets of contacts, rotatable means operable when rotated at one speed to eflect opening of one of said sets of contacts and operable when rotated at a different speed to efiect opening of the other of said sets of contacts, and electroresponsive valve means operable upon operation of said first set of contacts to cut off said supply to said brake means and operable upon operation of said sec- I. -'1'1.- In' a; vehicle brake system, incom bination, Y

under pressure from said brakemeans.

'fluid pressure brake means, means for effecting a supplyof fluid, under pressure to Operate said 7 brake means, a arse-sags: contacts; and a' secand set or contacts,' -rotatable meansjoperable' v I when rotated at one'predeterminedspeed toop;

" .e'rates'a-idflrs't setf-oi .5cbntacts1'apd when -roi',at-. at asecond 'predeterminedspeed to i operate d said second setiot contacts,- meansioperatedupon sliding. lo! a vehic1e"w i ee1. for!v effecting: rotation o! said'rotatable; means; andv electroi esponsive valve means operatedlin responseltooperaticn3o!- said first SetfOf, contacts'for; cutting ofl said sup.-

ply l and in response to operation of said second setv of contacts for effecting a release- 01? fluid supplied to operate said'brake mea'ns.

.12. 'In a vehicle brake system, in combination, Q i

brake means, means or effecting an eppncauon, e a a 01 said brake means, avswitch mechanism having a m ercqn a n naa fluid consuctin imedium;

centriiugally displace said and means operable when said contacts are thus {disconnected to diminish the degree of applic'ationloifsaid brake means. I

13. In afvjehicle'brake system, in combination,

" fbrakecylinder, means for eflecting a supply of fluid under pressure to said brake cylinder, a switch mechanism having contacts electrically connected bya fluid conducting medium and being r otatableto displace said conducting medium 7 to disconnect said contacts, means .Ior rotating said switchmechanism upon wheel, "and. a magnet valve device responsive todisconnection of said contacts for cutting off the*supp1y ,toand1 eflecting a release offluid sliding ot a vehicle under pressure from said brake cylinder.

'EARLE s; COOK. 1 v 5; CHARLES- F. HAMMER.

contacts'disposed in and electrically cong-necteclby. 'said medium, said switch mechanism "'beingj .rotatable ,lto :medium-fto j electrically disconnect said contacts, 

